Spring and fall equinox dates and times
The next spring (March) equinox is Saturday, March 20, 2027, at 4:25 PM Eastern, and the fall (September) equinox is Thursday, September 23, 2027, at 2:02 AM Eastern. On the equinoxes the Sun is directly over the equator and day and night are roughly equal everywhere.
March equinox (first day of spring)
| Year | UTC | Eastern | Central | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Mar 20, 20:25 UTC | Mar 20, 4:25 PM | Mar 20, 3:25 PM | Mar 20, 1:25 PM |
| 2028 | Mar 20, 02:17 UTC | Mar 19, 10:17 PM | Mar 19, 9:17 PM | Mar 19, 7:17 PM |
| 2029 | Mar 20, 08:02 UTC | Mar 20, 4:02 AM | Mar 20, 3:02 AM | Mar 20, 1:02 AM |
| 2030 | Mar 20, 13:52 UTC | Mar 20, 9:52 AM | Mar 20, 8:52 AM | Mar 20, 6:52 AM |
September equinox (first day of fall)
| Year | UTC | Eastern | Central | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sep 23, 06:02 UTC | Sep 23, 2:02 AM | Sep 23, 1:02 AM | Sep 22, 11:02 PM |
| 2028 | Sep 22, 11:45 UTC | Sep 22, 7:45 AM | Sep 22, 6:45 AM | Sep 22, 4:45 AM |
| 2029 | Sep 22, 17:38 UTC | Sep 22, 1:38 PM | Sep 22, 12:38 PM | Sep 22, 10:38 AM |
| 2030 | Sep 22, 23:27 UTC | Sep 22, 7:27 PM | Sep 22, 6:27 PM | Sep 22, 4:27 PM |
What is an equinox?
Twice a year the Earth's tilt is side-on to the Sun, so neither hemisphere leans toward it. The Sun rises almost exactly due east and sets due west, and crosses the celestial equator. The name comes from Latin for "equal night".
Questions people ask
When is the spring equinox 2027?
Saturday, March 20, 2027, at 4:25 PM Eastern (20:25 UTC), the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
When is the fall equinox 2027?
Thursday, September 23, 2027, at 2:02 AM Eastern (06:02 UTC), the first day of astronomical fall.
What is the difference between a solstice and an equinox?
At a solstice (June and December) one hemisphere is tilted as far toward the Sun as it gets, giving the longest or shortest day. At an equinox (March and September) neither hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, so day and night are about equal everywhere. See the winter and summer solstice.
Are day and night really equal on the equinox?
Almost, but not exactly. Because sunrise and sunset are measured from the top edge of the Sun and the atmosphere bends its light, most places get a few minutes more daylight than darkness. The day with truly equal day and night, the equilux, comes a few days before the spring equinox and after the fall one.